China is building a military base at an airport in Ban Keun, Laos, as seen in this satellite image. An analyst says it is premature to view it as a threat without more details from Vientiane. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should avoid viewing China’s new military facility in Laos as a threat without first understanding how Beijing intends to use it, says a foreign policy analyst.

China announced this week that a joint military support and training centre about 50km north of the Laotian capital Vientiane was operational. The facility includes a new airfield and an aviation academy, which China says will be used to train Lao air force pilots.

Bait Al Amanah research officer Thaha Albana Turmuzi said there was still insufficient information about the centre and the nature of China’s military presence there.